Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
"I would be completely lost without you," she says, leaning into my embrace. Resting my forehead against her shoulder, I hold onto this moment as if it's the only one that matters. But I know there will be many more like it to come. "I love you more than my next breath, Ridge Warner."
We share another passionate kiss before she pulls away slightly.
"Now, now. We have all night for that," I tease, wiggling my eyebrows and hips playfully. Seeing her giggle uncontrollably at my antics makes me love her even more. "No one is going to separate us," I declare fiercely. "You are mine, now and forever."
She playfully pushes against me and then straddles my chest. Her hair falls around us like a halo, framing my face as she leans in and as we kiss, she whispers against my lips, "You have my heart forever and always, my sweet, sexy, grumpy, mountain man.”
Second Epilogue
Ridge–four years later
The observatory is quiet except for the hum of the equipment and the soft gurgles of our newborn tucked snugly in Quinn’s arms. The night sky stretches endlessly above us, a blanket of stars so bright it feels like they’re trying to tell us something. Maybe they always have been.
I adjust the telescope, fine-tuning the lens to capture the new constellation Quinn and I have been mapping for weeks. “It’s clear tonight,” I say, my voice low, not wanting to disturb the quiet magic of this moment. “Best view we’ve had all month.”
Quinn looks up from our baby, Jack, her smile illuminated by the glow of the monitors. “It’s perfect. The universe knew we’d be here tonight.”
I can’t help but grin at her words. “Getting cosmic on me again, Stevens?”
“Always.” She leans back in her chair, shifting our newborn gently. The sight of her—hair loose, eyes soft, a tiny human cradled against her chest—does something to me I’ll never get used to. She’s my entire world, my galaxy wrapped up in one fiery, brilliant woman.
Across the room, our toddler, a miniature version of Quinn with my stubborn streak, sits on a blanket surrounded by toy planets and wooden rockets. He babbles happily to himself, spinning Saturn’s rings with chubby fingers.
“Blaze,” I call out, and his head snaps up, wide eyes meeting mine. “You keeping an eye on Jupiter for me?”
“Ju-puh!” he chirps, holding up the wooden planet like it’s his greatest discovery.
“That’s my boy.” My chest tightens with pride as I glance at Quinn. “Kid’s got a future in astronomy.”
She laughs, the sound warm and familiar, like home. “Or maybe demolition, the way he launches those planets across the room.”
Blaze giggles at her words, as if understanding he’s the star of the show. He sets Jupiter down with surprising care and toddles over to me, arms outstretched. I scoop him up, settling him on my hip as he babbles excitedly about the “big stars” outside.
“They’re always watching, aren’t they?” Quinn says softly, her gaze drifting upward. “I like to think the stars knew we’d find each other.”
I set Blaze down on the counter next to me, keeping a hand on him as I study Quinn. “You think the universe wrote our story?”
Her eyes meet mine, and even after all this time, the intensity in them still hits me like a punch to the chest. “I think it had a bigger plan for us than we ever could’ve imagined.”
I lean back, crossing my arms, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Pretty sure the universe didn’t have ‘mail-order bride ad’ in its master plan.”
She laughs, the sound filling the room and warming the cool night air. “Hey, that ad brought you more than a bride.”
“Yeah?” I step closer, my voice dropping. “What else did it bring me?”
Her smile softens, her gaze locking onto mine. “The life, love, and family you didn’t know you needed.”
Damn if she isn’t right. “Touché, Stevens.”
I slide my hand over hers, my thumb brushing against her wedding band. It still amazes me, this life we’ve built together. The observatory, the kids, the nights spent under the stars—it’s all more than I ever dreamed of, back when I thought my world ended with Devil’s Peak.
“Do you ever think about how far we’ve come?” I ask, my voice quieter now.
Her fingers tighten around mine. “Every day. From that ridiculous ad to now... it feels like fate.”
“Fate’s got nothing on us.” I lean in, pressing a kiss to her temple. “We made this happen. You and me.”
Blaze tugs on my sleeve, his little face scrunched in concentration as he points out the window. “Dada, moon!”
“That’s right, buddy. The moon’s out tonight.” I lift him higher so he can see better, his tiny hands gripping my shoulders as he stares in awe.
Quinn watches us, her expression soft. “He’s got your love for the stars.”
“And your determination,” I add, setting Blaze back down on his blanket. “Kid’s unstoppable.”